Chapter 247: He was ordered around in every way, displaying his heroic and majestic power, while his wife was subservient to him, and his killing intent was overwhelming.
The wind howled and the river roared; the sky was overcast.
Wen Caishang's long, slender fingers gently massaged her shoulders. Lost in thought, she realized she had never massaged a man's shoulders before. Li Xian said, "Be gentle."
After a long pause, he added, "A little heavier." His nitpicking was reminiscent of the time when Li Xian served Wen Caishang at Yihe Manor.
Wen Caishang pursed her red lips, her expression strange. Li Xian said sternly, "If you don't serve me well, I won't allow you to eat." He thought to himself, "I'll take this opportunity to enjoy myself as much as possible. Let my wife taste this flavor too." He was completely unrestrained.
"Enough!"
A wandering swordsman standing a few feet away slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Boy, don't be ungrateful!"
“Girl, this scoundrel has no sense of chivalry and dares to bully you like this. Don’t worry, I can’t stand such wicked people.”
"If you would like, please... come and have some food at my table."
Wen Caishang smiled, her alluring beauty captivating everyone present. Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Gentlemen, your act of bravery is commendable. However, this is a matter between my two families. Whether we make a fuss or reconcile is none of your concern. Let's clear up this misunderstanding and wish each other well!"
At this moment, however, he spoke with remarkable composure. Li Xian pulled Wen Caishang close, their lips meeting intimately. He said, "Our feelings for each other are mutual. It's not that I've treated her badly; it's just that she prefers this way. All of you heroes, you can rest assured."
She then sat down again. Upon hearing the words "such favoritism," Wen Caishang knew that Li Xian had secretly sabotaged her. She was annoyed for a moment but did not argue.
The burly man's face turned grim. He said again, "Good girl, don't be afraid. If you're threatening me, please speak up. We will uphold justice for you!"
Li Xian said impatiently, "Brother, you're meddling too much."
The burly man said, "Hmph! The world is a dangerous place. If you commit any crimes, I, Zuo Yilong, will never forgive you."
All the other江湖客 (jianghu ke) agreed. They were all江湖客 who had made a name for themselves in the area around the Wei and Hu rivers.
Li Xian didn't want to get involved. Wen Caishang, weighing the pros and cons, felt the same way, saying, "How can you judge my relationship with Li Lang? I prefer to serve him."
The other heroes exchanged bewildered glances, feeling deeply indignant. It turned out that their "righteous act" was a pretense; their true intention was lust. Left with no other choice, Zuo Yilong sat down, drank a few sips of wine, and brooded over his anger.
He thought to himself, "I, Zuo Yilong, can't swallow this insult. This guy is so arrogant. I need to find a reason to teach this brat a lesson."
He suddenly stood up and said, "Boy! You look familiar. Aren't you one of the fierce men on the Crimson List?"
In those days, information was scarce, and most of the self-proclaimed "heroes" of the martial world were just boastful individuals. They could easily come up with a reason to pick a fight. If they won, they were naturally considered to be "acting on behalf of Heaven." Li Xian coldly said, "I've tolerated you for so long, and you dare to frame me? Then die!"
He picked up two pieces of beef and flung them out. They hit Zuo Yilong squarely in the mouth, striking his throat and rupturing his vocal cords. Then he flung the chopsticks out, piercing through both of his wrists and pinning them to the wall.
Li Xian's display of skill had already astonished those around him. Among the passengers waiting for their boat at the food stall, few were truly discerning diners. No one dared to utter another word, and they all retreated outside the hall.
The two ate and drank, savoring the delicacies. Li Xian said, "We're just waiting for the boat to arrive so we can take the waterway. It's a complicated route; no matter how many men they have, it's useless. Madam, please serve me."
Wen Caishang said softly, "Alright, I'll take good care of you." Gentle as water, she then massaged Li Xian's shoulders. Wen Caishang thought to herself, "I'm plagued by misfortune, can things really go so smoothly?" Slightly worried, she said, "If something unexpected happens, do you have a backup plan?"
Li Xian said, "Nothing in this world is ever perfect. It all depends on the magnitude of the unexpected... Does Madam think this trip won't go smoothly?" Wen Caishang nodded and said, "I am filled with unease. Perhaps... it's going to rain!"
The sky was overcast, and thunder seemed imminent. A storm was brewing…
Li Xian smiled and said, "Don't think too much. Please, Madam, massage my legs." Wen Caishang chuckled and said, "You've gotten quite used to ordering me around. How... are you happier ordering me around like this?"
But they did as instructed.
Around dusk, the sky darkened, and after a loud clap of thunder, a torrential downpour began. Li Xian thought to himself, "These dark clouds have been gathering for days, and now they've finally fallen; the rain is really heavy!"
The water sprayed densely. Passengers from all directions waited in the canteen, rain dripping from the eaves. The misty river surface created a unique and beautiful scene.
The doors and windows were all closed. It was already dark, so the shopkeeper lit candles and fixed them to the dining table.
Jinghou is waiting for the boat.
As dawn approached, a large ship drew near and docked beside the ward. The waiting passengers hastily opened their umbrellas and boarded. Wen Caishang, her hands twirling her long skirt, had already changed into cloth clothes. Splashed by the water, they were naturally damp. After only a few steps, her boots and skirt were already stained.
Once aboard the ferry, I felt a little relieved. The boat rocked and swayed, making it quite cramped, but how could one be comfortable when fleeing for one's life? So I didn't ask for much. Around 3:45 AM, the rain subsided, and although it showed no signs of letting up, it no longer hindered the boat's progress. So I weighed anchor, steered, and headed down the river.
Li Xian murmured, "Flowing into the rivers, from then on, the world is vast and boundless. Where will they be found?" She breathed a slight sigh of relief. Suddenly, she heard a commotion on the deck…
Li Xian braved the rain to go to the deck. More than ten fellow passengers had already gathered there, all gazing at the riverbank. On that riverbank, the roar of tigers shook the heavens... Dozens, hundreds, thousands... even tens of thousands of tigers gathered.
Upon seeing this, Li Xian quickly called Wen Caishang to come and see. They were both curious: "Tigers are the kings of the forest, and it is said that two tigers cannot share one mountain. Why are so many ferocious tigers gathered here?"
Hundreds of tigers roared in unison, their cries like thunderclaps, rising and falling in waves. Suddenly someone exclaimed, "They're here!"
Then countless tigers leaped into the river with a "plop." The "tiger waves" rolled in, a sight truly unheard of.
As soon as a tiger entered the river, it howled a few times before being swept away by the waves, sinking to the bottom of the river, and being carried away by the current to a distant place.
The rain was heavy, the wind was strong, and the waves were surging and the mud was turbulent. This scene was no less spectacular than "a dragon running through the water"! Following the tigers rushing into the river, looking around, the river was teeming with tigers and beasts.
"Oh no! Turn the helm and head back!" shouted the ship's officer. The ship jolted and rocked violently...
Several tigers, lurking at the bottom, blindly pounced and clawed, tearing through the hull of the boat! As the river waves rolled, hundreds of tigers were pushed to the side of the boat.
Seeing their chance, the tigers swam desperately toward the boat. Their claws hooked onto the planks, and they began to crawl into the vessel. Li Xian frowned, drew his bow, and shot down several tigers.
Alas, the army of thousands of tigers and tigers surged forth like a mighty river. The mountains across the river were teeming with tigers and beasts, all rushing into the river in a single wave… their power overwhelming, beyond human control.
Li Xian sighed, "This world is full of wonders, but also full of dangers!"
The helmsman was in a panic and had no choice but to turn back and dock at the shore. After Li Xian and Wen Caishang disembarked, they immediately asked the steward, "In this situation, when can we set sail again?"
The steward said, "You're in very bad luck! The ship is damaged and it will be difficult to sail for the next few days."
Li Xian and Wen Caishang exchanged a glance. Wen Caishang sighed softly, having no choice but to accept it. Li Xian comforted her, "Let's walk along the river and find another boat shop."
Wen Caishang said, "That's the only way." The boat shop refused to refund any money, and Li Xian, too lazy to argue, braved the rain and headed out that very night.
He cut two lotus leaves and walked close to them. Li Xian sighed, "When bad luck strikes, even drinking water can cause you to choke!"
In truth… Heaven's justice is impartial. The Earthly Essence has been rarely seen for centuries; how precious it is! If one were to seize it honestly and fairly, one would not be plagued by misfortune. To plot against the Earthly Essence is to harm Heaven's fortune.
Numerous obstacles... there are many to mention. But it is precisely because of this that we can see the immense gains Wen Caishang has made. The rain is gradually thinning, but it keeps dripping, making the air wet and sticky, and it looks like it will continue for quite some time.
The next day at dawn.
A mournful cry came from the river… Tiger Luo Zong and Elephant Luo Zong were seen riding boats, retrieving tiger carcasses from the river. Thousands, tens of thousands. With each scoop of the iron net, several tiger corpses were retrieved.
If the tiger beast still had a breath left, the entire Tiger Clan was overjoyed and fed it "Tiger Saliva Jade Blood Dew" to preserve its life force and invigorate its vital energy. If it could survive for three days, it would transform into a "River-Turning Strange Tiger," with a massive body that could churn and churn the river, making it extremely ferocious and powerful.
If the tiger is dead, its skin and bones can be skinned and used for a wide range of purposes, such as refining medicine, making hides, crafting tools, and brewing elixirs. A single tiger can bring considerable profits.
Why is the "Tiger Saliva Jade Blood Pill" of the Tiger Luo Sect so effective in healing heart wounds and preserving life? It is because it is tailored to the time, place, circumstances, and situation. If the medicine is not effective, the "Overturning Tiger" will become the "Sinking Tiger."
Wen Caishang said, "For a sect to stand firm, it needs a stable industry. Last night, when the tiger leaped into the river, countless amounts of silver and gold flowed into it. Now the silver has temporarily sunk, while the gold has risen. They will be able to pan for gold in this great wave and return home laden with their spoils."
Tens of thousands of tigers drowned, most of them sinking into the river. Several days later, the tiger carcasses would float on the surface, swollen and bloated. At that time… people from the surrounding towns would go into the river to retrieve the bodies, earning money in return.
The world is bustling with activity, all for profit... The more Li Xian saw, the more he suddenly realized: "It's no wonder you value profit so much. I look around and see who doesn't value profit. I also value profit, but in this life, one cannot only focus on profit."
Li Xian asked, "Why did Xiang Luo Zong also collect tiger corpses?"
Wen Caishang said, "The Xiangluo Sect can also sell tiger carcasses for money. Moreover... if they find a live tiger that is still alive, the Xiangluo Sect will kill it immediately to prevent the Huluo Sect from having another 'Turning River Tiger'. The two sects will fight each other for generations to come!"
We passed another boat shop. Upon further inquiry, we learned that due to the search for corpses in the rivers of Huluozong and Xiangluozong, most of the boat shops had ceased operations to avoid trouble.
As a result, Li Xian and Wen Caishang's waterway plan was greatly delayed. Li Xian sighed, "If we wait a few more days... even if Su Qiuwu and his group are stupid, they will have found us by now! The situation is truly dire!"
Li Xianqiang composed himself and continued along the river. After walking for about another day, he visited several boat shops, and received the same answer from each one.
Day three.
Having found nothing more, Li Xian had to make a decision. He decided to abandon his exploration along the river and change his route.
Li Xian wanted to purchase a map to re-plan the route. The two traveled for half a day and came to a large city. They quietly entered the city and suddenly felt that the people wandering around were very strange. There were many people who possessed martial arts skills, and several of them were secretly observing their surroundings.
Li Xian and Wen Caishang tried to conceal themselves, keeping a low profile, but they were still glanced at several times, fortunately without being noticed. Li Xian became wary, immediately realizing that the pursuers were close by!
With a quick turn, he disappeared into an alley. He then glimpsed the entrance of an inn, where several men carrying knives were renting rooms.
Wen Caishang said solemnly, "It's the Wuji Blade Sect."
"Shiluo Village!"
Several mummified corpses stood still on the street in the distance.
The Huangsha Sect, Wuji Blade Sect, Taixin Sect, Jianyu Tower, Shiluo Village... have completely formed a cage around them.
Their presence was ubiquitous in the surrounding cities, and the tightness of their encirclement, the intensity of their oppression, the ferocity of their advance, and the urgency of the situation were unprecedented.
Li Xian secretly observed that the red notices had been posted throughout the streets and alleys, and people were talking about the two of them everywhere.
The "Red List" summoned a large number of martial arts practitioners who came to hunt down and kill Li Xian and Wen Caishang.
There's nowhere to go, neither to heaven nor to earth!
...
...
(Some readers are hoping for a quick update.)
We've gone as fast as we can, but it's hard to go any faster.
Each chapter already covers a lot of plot. The scenery of Tiger Leaping River, the workings of the Tiger Luo Sect, the manhunt and escape, the emotional changes… If these things were simplified or cut, I don't know how you readers would feel reading them. But for me, writing them would be utterly boring.
There's also the issue of the plot dragging on; this particular scene did take a lot of time to develop. However, it concerns the emotional shift between Li Xian and Wen Caishang, so it's being polished gradually.
(End of this chapter)
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